Using Soil

Amendments to

Reuse Urban Land

Michele Mahoney, U.S. EPA

Office of Superfund Remediation &

Technology Innovation

Recycles industrial

by-products

Restores soil

quality

Reduces exposure of

contaminant

Soil

Amendments

Overview

Background on soil amendments

Overview of Soil Amendments Paper

Soils and Urban Gardening

What are Soil Amendments?

Residuals from other processes that:

• Have beneficial properties

• Reduce exposure by limiting the exposure

pathways and immobilizing contaminants

• Restore soil quality

• Enable site remediation, revegetation, and

reuse

What are Soil Amendments?

• Biosolids

• Manures/Litters

• Sugar beet lime

• Wood ash

• Log yard waste

• Yard trimmings

• Composted food waste

• Neutralizing lime products

• Composted biosolids

• Composted agricultural byproducts

• Traditional agricultural

fertilizers

Some Benefits

Restore soil health and structure

Decrease bioavailability of contaminants

Decrease mobility of contaminants

Decrease erosion

Reduce cost for remediation

Mitigate Exposure

Problems at Sites addressed by

Soil Amendments

Toxicity from contaminants

pH

Excess Sodium

Excess Salts

Soil Physical Properties

•Density, aggregation and texture

Nutrient Deficiencies

•Micronutrients (Zinc and Manganese)

Contaminant Bioavailability/Phytoavailability

• Toxicity (inorganic)

• Toxicity (organic)

Poor Soil Health/Ecosystem Function

• High or Low pH

• Sodicity or Salinity

• Changes in Soil Physical Properties

• Nutrient Deficiencies and Low Fertility

Types of Problems Addressed by Soil

Amendments

Table 1

Types of Problems Addressed by Soil

Amendments

Table 1

Types of Sites Where Soil Amendments

Can Be Used

Table 2

Types of Soil Amendments

Types of Soil Amendments Include:

Organics• Biosolids, Manures, Compost, Digestates, Pulp Sludges,

Yard/Wood Waste, Ethanol Production Byproducts

pH• Lime, Wood Ash, Coal Combustion Products, Sugar Beet

Lime, Cement/Lime Kiln, Red Mud, Lime-Stabilized Biosolids

Mineral• Foundry Sand, Steel Slag, Dredged Material,

Gypsum, Water Treatment Residuals, Coal Combustion Products

Table 3

Types of Soil Amendments

Table 3

Application Rates

The appropriate application rate depends on the specific

concern to be addressed.

The amount of amendments added to the soil can be a

qualitative or quantitative decision.

Typically, higher application rates of soil amendments are

required when rebuilding soil, rather than simply

enhancing damaged soil.

Logistics and Other Considerations in

Using Soil Amendments

Table 4

Logistics and Other Considerations in

Using Soil Amendments

Other considerations include:

• Availability

• Public considerations

–Public outreach

–Odor

–Demonstrations

• Costs

• Long-term maintenance

• Monitoring

Comparison of Different Application

Systems Used in Remediation

Table 5

Regulatory Requirements for Sites Using

Selected Soil Amendments

Includes Federal and State Regulations

Table 6

Michele Mahoney

US EPA OSWER

Technology Innovation & Field Services Division

Phone: (703) 603-9057

Email: Mahoney.Michele@epamail.epa.gov

The Use of Soil Amendments for Remediation, Revitalization, and Reuse

http://www.clu-in.org/download/remed/epa-542-r-07-013.pdf